Rating of
3/4
A very nice film
Ichabod Crane - wrote on 11/23/08
A nice film, that comedy mostly derives from people's inability to tell that someone is mentally handicapped. Peter sellers is very good in it because he does not over do it and never falters the character, who more or less is an impersonation of Stan Laurel. Only one person realizing the truth is a bit far fetched but beside that this film is good.
Pros: A pleasant and nice performance from Peter Sellers. Good supporting players, and humorous and nice to watch.
Cons: Went too far to allow believability, and was I think oddly edited later on in the film especially the party scenes.
Oscar Win Best Supporting Actor Melvyn Douglas 2/5- Douglas is not bad at all as the old man who befriends Chance but he just plays and old guy in an old guy sort of way. He does not do anything special with it just and old guy playing an old guy. He does not bring anything new to this type of role but he does not do anything wrong with it either.
Oscar nominee Best Actor Peter Sellers 5/5- Peter Sellers is perfect as Chance the Gardner. He never strives from the character as he is and does not give a pandering performance either. I though his mentally slow person was far superior than others who did pander too much or did the look how I am sort of thing. He does not break out of his disability ever but still he sells the character very well and in a believable fashion even if other character reactions are not very believable.
